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Questions and Answers
- Q
- A friend of mine has given me some Devil's Claw (Harpagoside)to try for
joint pain. It's a liquid herb. I have been unsuccessful digging up any
side effects, hazards or long term effects of this remedy. Do you have
any information about side effects, hazards or long term effects of using
this herb? Thank you.
- A
- ... check out some other comments I've made already on
Devil's Claw (great name!) ... it's been in use in Africa and Europe for
over 250 years and has anecdotal accounts on its usefulness in arthritis and
rheumatism .... no properly conducted and controlled studies have been
reported. The dose of your preparation is 3 to 6 drops 10 minutes before
each meal.
It appears that some individuals get benefit from it ( some get relief of
arthritic pain by wearing bracelets made of pure copper! ). As a precaution
avoid its use during pregnancy ... other than that I would think that any
side effects would be similar in distribution and intensity as observed in
the 'control' or 'placebo' group of any clinical trial.
Best wishes.
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